Paperboard can holder



Jan. 4, 1966 G. COPPING 3,227,271

PAPERBOARD CAN HOLDER Filed July 10, 1963 22 FIG. I m /z /4 INVENTOR. FIG. 3 BRUCE G. COPPING ATTYS.

3,227,271 Patented Jan. 4, 1966 3,227,271 PAPERBOARD. CAN HOLDER Bruce G. Capping, Akron, Ohio, assignor, bymcsne assignments, to Geo. J. Meyer Manufacturing Co., Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin.-

Filed July 10, 1963, Self. No. 293,974

, 8 Claims. (Cl. 20665) This invention relates to. a paperboard holder for use in package assemblies, and particularly to packageassemblies for a plurality of articles, such as cans, that usually are of cylindrical shape and which have top chimes or Feeds provided thereon and extending laterally thererorn. J

Heretofore there have been many different types of articles provided as packaged assemblies and many thousands of such package assemblies are sold commercially today. A lot of beverages currently-are sold in sosalled six-pack assemblies that include-two longitudinally extending rows of three cans each. The three cans in each individual row are longitudinally abutted on each other, and corresponding cans in the different rows are transversely abutted. Different types of such four-sixeight article packs of this general type are provided and have wide commercial acceptance. These package assemblies usually include cardboard carriers or cartons that extend transversely around the rows of articles as an endless band for securing them together, or that otherwise engage the articles to provide convenient transport thereof.

Inasmuch as beverages alone are soldin extremely large quantities in six-packs, and other products may also be sold in packages of the type described, the cost for the carriers, or assemblies formed therefor, is a major factor in the price of which the package or: article assemblies can be retailed.

Accordingly, it is the general object of; the present invention to provide a novel and improved relatively inexpensive paperboard holder for use in a package assembly including a retainer band or means to present a plurality is made from two similar superimposed paperboard blanks constructed to be engaged readilyto. be moved to operative positions for engagement with articles in parallelrows.

A further object of the invention is to provide a two layer holder member of thetype described which can be .cut flat. which is made from parts that can be'adhesively secured together, and whichcan be stored flat to provide ease for. storage and handling problems.

Another object of the invention is to provide a package assembly top strengthening. and carryingrnember which engages the top chimes on'the articles carried to provide a secure firm carrying structure with. an associatedretainer band.

A further object of the inventionis to provide afiat package assembly which is sturdy, durable, and which provides a firm mounting and carrying means for a multi article pack of chime topped cans, or the like.

The aforesaid objects of theinvention and other objects which will become apparent as the description proceeds are achieved by providing in a paperboard top holder for cans having top chimes or beads formed thereon for use in conjunction with an enclosing band the combination of middle and outer portions generally corresponding in shape, said panel outer portions having scored sections at the outer edges thereof adapted to be folded downwardly to receive one portion of the beaded top edges of said cans when two rows of cans are received in the top holder when it is operatively positioned, said third portions being adapted. to be bent back on said middle portions from spaced scored lines so that the free support edges thereof are in alignment and adapted to engage with the beaded top edge portions of said cans opposite to said can portion received in said scored sections.

In order to have a better understanding of the invention reference should be had to the accompany drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of the paperboard top holder of the invention in the fiat and unfolded condition; y

FIGURE 2 is an end elevation of the paperboard top holder of FIGURE 1 in the partially folded condition with no cans. shown and illustrating in dotted lines the bending back feature of the narrow portions; and

FIGURE 3 is an end elevation, similar to FIGURE 2, but showing the cans in place and the top holder engaged in accordance with the principles of the invention.

With specific reference to the form of the invention illustrated in FIGURE 1 of the drawings, the numeral 10 indicates generally a flat top holder usually comprising two rectangularly shaped, superimposed paperboard sections 12 and 14. The sections 12 and 14 are adhesively or otherwise suitably secured together over longitudinally extending, generally rectangular portions 16 and 16a, as seen with reference to FIGURE 2. Each section 12 and 14 contains relatively wide, rectangularly shaped outer portions18 and 20 respectively, and relatively narrow, rectangularly shaped third, or inner, or center portions 22 and24, respectively, for purposes to be hereinafter explained in detail.

As best seen in FIGURE 1, the. wide portions 18 and 20 each contain cut slots 26 which are adapted, when operatively positioned, to receive the outer beaded top portion 7 of cans 28, which are indicated in dotted lines. Note that the widened portions 18. and 20 are of-a Width slightly greater than the diameter of the cans 28 and of a length slightly less than substantially three diameters of the. cans 28. The widened portions 18 and 20 are adapted to be foldedaway from each other on scored or fold lines 29 and29a, respectively. It should also be. noted that cans 28 are not tangent to the fold line. 29a of FIGURE 1 to thereby allow the third portion, or flap 22 to be folded back on the second portion and give space for such flaps when the top holder 10 is opened and is being secured to a group ofcans by amachine. In order to firmly engage the top chime of the cans 28 in the slots 26, an outer edge flap 30 is provided on the wide portion and is adapted to be bent down along pre-formed fold line 32, as shown on the section 14. Corresponding flap a on the wide portion 18 also is provided. A pair of short cut portions 34 may be provided in the folded line 32 in order to assist in folding the outer flap 30 downwardly.

In order to provide means to carry the cans engaged by the top holder 10, a pair of opposed carrying holes 36 and 38 are provided. Note that substantial portions 40 and 42 of the holes 36 and 38, respectively, are located in the portions or areas 16 and 16a and are directed towards each other. Portions 44 and 46, respectively, are provided in the wide portions 18 and 20 and form substantial semi-circles which become complete circles when the widened portions 18 and 20 are folded away from each other to lie in the same plane, as indicated in FIGURE 2. The carrying holes 36 and 38 are provided on the top of the holder 10 to receive a persons thumb and forefinger, or other finger, for carrying purposes, with the portions cut away in the areas 16 and 16a being directed towards each other so that the thumb and finger can perform a pinching function to assist in carrying the cans engaged by the holder 10, as described hereinafter. Other carrying means, such as handles, could be utilized in some instances without departing from the scope of the invention.

The third portions 22 and 24 are of different widths, as clearly seen in FIGURE 1, and are bent back on the portions 16 along scored lines 48 and 50, respectively. Thus, even though the third portions, or flaps 22 and 24 are of different widths, they are bent along lines spaced different distances from the portions 18 and 20 so that when they are folded completely back on the portions or areas 16 and 16a, as indicated by the dotted lines in FIGURE 2, their free or support edges 22a and 24a are in alignment. The primary purpose of making the narrowed portions 22 and 24 of different widths is to facilitate convenient access thereto, as by automatic machines applying the top holders 10 to the cans 28. Note that the flap or third portions 22 and 24 contain cut away sections 52 and 54 so that when the portions 22 and 24 are folded back on themselves they will not interfere with the carrying holes 36 and 38.

With reference to FIGURE 3, it shows how cans 28 are held by their top beads or chimes 56 in the top holder 10. Specifically, the outer portion of the chime 56 is received in the cut slots 26 and 26a when the folded flaps 30 and 30a are bent down parallel to the side walls of the cans 28 to insure the engagement of the chimes 56 to the cut slots 26 and 26a. The flap or third portions 22 and 24 are bent back on the portions 16a and 16 and away from each other to position the edges 22a and 24a to engage the inner portion of the chimes 56, all in the manner as indicated in FIGURE 3. Thus, the narrowed bent back portions 22 and 24 tend to push the cans towards the cut slots 26 and 26a by the bending resistance therein to thereby assist in firmly engaging the cans by the slots. It should be realized that the flaps 30 and 30a could be made to fold back similar to third portions 22 and 24 to have their edges engage the top chimes 56. The usual manner of applying the top holder 10 to the cans is to fold the third portions back on the portions 16 and 16a, as indicated, feed it between rows of cans and then bend the flap portion 30 and 30a down over the outer chimes of the cans to obtain engagement of the top holder 10 to the cans 28. In commercial practice, a plastic, or other wrapping band is suitably wrapped around the cans 28 and the top holder 10 to retain them in engagement. One such process of this general type is illustrated in my pending patent application Serial No. 228,612, filed October 5, 1962.

It has been found that when upward pressure is exerted on the top holder 10 by picking it up through the carrying holes 36 and 38 that the top widened portions 18 and 20 are placed under tension thereby through the engaging outer flaps 30 and 30a tending to pull the Cans 28 towards each other or towards the narrowed bent back portions 22 and 24 to aid in obtaining positive engagement of the inner and outer chimes 56 of the cans 28. Therefore, it is seen that an extremely simple, yet highly effective top holder for a plurality of cans, or a six-pack is provided. Particularly, the top holder is formed from two pieces of carboard secured together at one portion thereof with the holder normally stored or shipped in a flat position but being easily moved to operative shape to insure positive engagement to the chimed edges of cans for an inexpensive, yet highly effective top holder. The top holder is particularly adaptable for automatic machine use as the center bent back portions are of different widths to permit easy pick off and bending in a machine. Since the center or flap portions are bent at different lines and are correlated in size, they have support edges at the same height to engage the inner chimed edge of packaged articles. While the top holder could be used independently, it is preferable to have some wrapping around it to insure positive engagement of the top chimes with the top holder for a firm and effective holding and carrying means.

While in accordance with the patent statutes one best known embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described in detail, it is to be particularly understood that the invention is not limited thereto or thereby, but that the inventive scope is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a paperboard top holder for cylindrical articles, such as cans having top beads or chimes, the combination of a pair of substantially flat, generally rectangularly shaped paperboard top panels, each panel being divided by scored lines into a substantially rectangular outer portion, a narrow substantially rectangular middle portion with such middle portion on one top panel being wider than the other, and a narrow substantially rectangular third portion, said third portion on said one top panel being wider than said third portion on said other top panel, said panels being secured together at said middle portions, said panel outer portions having scored sections at the outer edges thereof adapted to be folded to engage only one portion of the beaded top edges of said cans and parts of the upper sides of the cans when the top holder is operatively positioned, said third portions being adapted to be folded up on said middle portions so that the free edges thereof are in substantial horizontal alignment and can be positioned between rows of cans to engage with the beaded top edge portions of said cans opposite to said can portion received in said scored sections.

2. In a paperboard top holder for cylindrical articles, such as cans having top beads or chimes, the combination of a pair of substantially fiat, generally rectangularly shaped paperboard top panels, each panel being divided by scored lines into a substantially rectangular outer portion, a narrow substantially rectangular middle portion with such middle portion on one top panel being wider than the other and a narrow substantially rectangular third portion, said third portion on said one top panel being wider than said third portion on said other top panel, said panels being secured together at said middle portions, said panel middle and outer portions generally corresponding in shape, said panel outer portions having scored sections at the outer edges thereof adapted to be folded downwardly to receive one portion of the beaded top edges of said cans and to extend part way only down the sides of said cans when the top holder is operatively positioned, said third portions being adapted to be bent back on said middle portions and being of a size that the outer edges thereof are in alignment and adapted to engage with the beaded top edge portions of said cans opposite to said can portion received in said scored sections.

3. In a paperboard top holder for cylindricalarticles, such as cans having top beads or chimes and adapted to portion and a narrow substantially rectangular third portion adapted to be an inner portion when used, said panels beingadhesively.securedtogether at said middle portions, said panel middle and outer edge portion opposite to said portion received in said scored sections to aid in supporting said cans by said panels.

only part way down the sides of said can-s, said narrowbent backportions tending to push the cans toward :thefldependent slotted sections of said wide portions by the bend resistance therein, carrying be used in conjunction with an enclosing wrap, the combi 5 means operatively formedin said members, and said nation of members tending to pus'hthe cans towards said nara pair of flat substantially rectangularly shaped paperrow bent back portions when tension is applied to board panels,.each. panel being divided by fold lines said wide portions as saidtop holder is picked up into, a substantially rectangular laterally outer porby. said carrying means.

tion, a narrow substantially rectangular middle 10 6.In a paperboard top holder forcans and the like having top beads formed thereon for use in conjunction with a heat shrunk plastic Wrapping band the combination of a pair of substantially rectangularly shaped flat pieces portions substantially corresponding in shape, said of paperboard adhesively secured together over an panel third portions having laterally outer edges corextended area near one edge thereof, said pieces responding in shape but positioned different distances conforming exactly in shape on one side of said from said middle portions, sa-id panel outer portions secured area, said pieces having slotted sections on having scored and cut sections on the outer edges the outer edges of said one side of said secured area thereof adapted to receive only one portion of the adapted to receive the beaded outer edges of said beaded top edges of said cans and extend only part cans, said adhesively secured area having opposed way down the sides of said cans, said third portions holes therein which extend into said one side of said being adapted to be bent back on said middle porsecured area, said opposed holes forming substantions so that the outer edges thereof are in aligntially circular shaped finger carrying holes when said ment and adapted to engage with the beaded top pieces on said one side of said secured area are folded away from each other to a point where they lie in the same plane, said pieces having the same outer edge cont-our on the extended portion on the 4. In a paperboard top holder for cans having top chimes or beads formed thereon for use in conjunction with a wrapping band the combination of a pair of substantially similar, rectangularly shaped side opposite said one side of said secured area, but one of said outer edges extending further from said secured area, both said extended portions being adapted to bend back so that the outer edge concardboard members, said members being fastened together in a longitudinally extending area thereof, said members having relatively wide portion-s on one side of said area which portions are substantially as Wide as the diameter of cans to be held and about as long as three diameters of the cans to be held, said wide portions being adapted to be bent away tours are in substantial alignment and adapted to engage the beaded inner, upper edges of said cans and extending only part way down the sides of said cans, said bent back extended portions tending to push the cans towards the dependent slotted sections on the outer edge of said one side of said secured area, and said dependent slotted sections tending to from each other along the one edge of said area 4 push said cans towards the bent back extended poruntil they lie in the same plane, said wide portions tions as said top holder is picked up by said opposed having scored sections on the outer edges thereof carrying holes, said wrapping band being adapted adapted to bend downwardly to engage the headed to extend over said pieces and around said cans outer edges of said cans and extend only part way from top to bottom thereof to retain the cans and down the sides thereof, said members having relasaid pieces in assembly.

tively narrow portions of different width-s on the other side of said area hingedly connected thereto, said narrow portions being adapted to be bent back 7. In a paperboard top holder for cans and the like having top chimes the combination of a pair of fiat pieces of paperboard secured together away from each other so that their free edges are portions bent away from each other along the over an extended area near one edge thereof, said in line and adapted to engage the beaded inner and pieces substantially conforming in shape on one side upper edges of the cans, said top holder being of said secured area, said pieces having slotted secadapted to have a Wrapping band extend over said tions on the outer edges of said one side of said top holder and around said cans from top to bottom secured area adapt-ed to receive the outer, upper thereof to aid in operatively positioning it in engagechime edges of said cans and engage the upper side ment with several cans arranged in two rows. Portions only of Said cans, Said Pieces having 5. In a paperboard top holder for cans having top stantially the same outer edge contour on the exchimes or beads formed there-on the combination of ed Portion 011 the Side PP Said One Side Of a pair of cardboard members out from a flat cardboard, aid S ur d ar a, ut n f a d u er edges 6X- said members being operatively fastened together in tending further from said secured area. both said a substantially flat area near an edge of the length extended portions adapted to bend back on themof the members, said members being substantially selves so that the outer edge contours are in alignidentical shaped and having wide portions on one ment and adapted to engage the beaded inner, upper side of the fastened area which are slightly wider edges of said cans, and said bent back extended porthan the diameter of cans to be held and as long as tions tending to push the cans towards the dependent three diameters of the cans to be held, said wide slotted sections on the outer edge of said one side of said secured area by the bend resistance therein.

fastened area and lying substantially in the same plane, said wide portions having slotted sections on the outer edges receiving the beaded outer and upper 8. In a paperboard top holder for cans having top beads or chimes, the combination of a pair of superimposed substantially rectangularly edges of said cans, said members having narrow porshaped similar paperboard panels, each panel being tions of dilferent Widths on the other side of the divided by longitudinally extending scored lines into fastened area, said narrow portions being adapted a narrow substantially rectangular middle portion to be bent back on themselves away from each other and a pair of laterally outer portions, said panels so that their free edges are in line and engage the being secured together along said middle portions, beaded inner and upper edges of the cans and extend 7 each of said panels having a first outer portion with scored sections adjacent the outer edge thereof adapted to be folded to engage one portion of the beaded top edges of said cans and extend only part way down the sides of said cans, each of said panels also having a second outer portion adapted to be bent back on said middle portion to engage with the beaded top edge portion of said cans opposite to said portions thereof engaged by said first outer portions, the said middle portions of said panels being of different lengths and the said second outer portions of said panels being of different lengths with the longer of said middle portions being attached to the longer of said second outer portions.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Phipps 22962 Chidsey 20665 X Svirchev 206--56 X Hughes 206-65 X Reynolds 20665 Van Den Berg 20665 Cote 206-65 X Chapman et al 206-65 THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A PAPERBOARD TOP HOLDER FOR CYLINDRICAL ARTICLES, SUCH AS CANS HAVING TOP BEADS OR CHIMES, THE COMBINATION OF A PAIR OF SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT, GENERALLY RECTANGULARLY SHAPED PAPERBOARD TOP PANELS, EACH PANEL BEING DIVIDED BY SCORED LINES INTO A SUBSTANTIALLY RECTANGULAR OUTER PORTION, A NARROW SUBSTANTIALLY RECTANGULAR MIDDLE PORTION WITH SUCH MIDDLE PORTION ON ONE TOP PANEL BEING WIDER THAN THE OTHER, AND A NARROW SUBSTANTIALLY RECTANGULAR THIRD PORTION, SAID THIRD PORTION ON SAID ONE TOP PANEL BEING WIDER THAN SAID THIRD PORTION ON SAID OTHER TOP PANEL, SAID PANELS BEING SECURED TOGETHER AT SAID MIDDLE PORTIONS, SAID PANEL OUTER PORTIONS HAVING SCORED SECTIONS AT THE OUTER EDGES THEREOF ADAPTED TO BE FOLDED TO ENGAGE ONLY ONE PORTION OF THE BEADED TOP EDGES OF SAID CANS AND PART OF THE UPPER SIDES OF THE CANS WHEN THE TOP HOLDER IS OPERATIVELY POSITIONED, SAID THIRD PORTIONS BEING ADAPTED TO BE FOLDED UP ON SAID MIDDLE PORTIONS SO THAT THE FREE EDGES THEREOF ARE IN SUBSTANTIAL HORIZONTAL ALIGNMENT AND CAN BE POSITIONED BETWEEN ROWS OF CANS TO ENGAGE WITH THE BEADED TOP EDGE PORTIONS OF SAID CANS OPPOSITE TO SAID CAN PORTION RECEIVED IN SAID SCORED SECTIONS. 